In San Rafael, ceremonies honor homeless who died in streets

Michael McGee said he has lost track of how many fellow homeless people he's known in Marin County who have died on the streets.

"I personally stopped counting at 75," McGee said.

The number climbs every year — some dying from suicide, others from old age, drug overdoses or bad health — while the sense of loss stays the same.

"It's amazing how overlooked it is by society," McGee said.

Wanting to make sure that those who lived on the fringe of society weren't forgotten in death, McGee was one of about 40 who took part in memorial procession Sunday in San Rafael, honoring those who have died while living outside in Marin.

Led by Paul Gaffney, chaplain of the Marin Interfaith Street Chaplaincy, it was the 17th year of the event.

"We want people to be remembered," Gaffney said. "The other side of it is that we want the (homeless) community to see we're remembering them."

The remembrance began in front of First Presbyterian Church San Rafael, with some opening comments about the importance of the occasion and a chant led by a member of the Green Gulch Farm Zen Center.

"We are here today to celebrate life and to bless the lives of those who have blessed our lives," said Rev. Alison Hendley, a deacon with United Methodist Church.

The group — a mix of clergymembers, homeless and friends of those being remembered — then went on a silent walk. Several members of the parade carried signs that read, "remembering our friends who have died homeless in Marin."

They passed through downtown, walking on the Fourth Street sidewalk for two blocks before turning up to the Church of Saint Raphael.

Gathered in front of the Saint Raphael parish office, 10 people each took a turn to read 18 names off a list of 180 homeless Marin people who have died since 1995. Some of the people had found housing at the end of their lives, but had spent significant time living outdoors, Gaffney said.

After each name was read, the crowd uttered the name as well. People such as Bill Compton, Christina "White Cloud" Kelly, Wade Boswell, and someone known only as "Smooth," were remembered this way.

Gaffney said he has held a memorial service for just about everyone who has passed away since he joined the chaplaincy 10 years ago. He said a service is planned for Nancy Phillips, the most recent local homeless person to die — and the last name on the list.

Gaffney said that San Rafael's chronically homeless population — those who have lived outside for at least a year straight — is generally thought to be around 200, but he thinks it is closer to 350.

Gaffney said that many of the people on the list died without friends or caregivers around them, often times their bodies found the day after, alone. That makes the sense of loss even more difficult for other homeless residents who were friends with them.